Grant to give cardiac
help for isles’ poor

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Star-Bulletin staff

The American Heart Association of Hawaii has received $240,000 from the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation to distribute automated external defibrillators to organizations and sites serving the poor and needy.

The association is accepting applications from those interested. Applications can be obtained from the Oahu office by calling 888-CPR-LINE (888-277-5463).

Those selected will receive initial training by AHA community training centers for up to six site representatives.

Applications will be judged on how a site reaches underserved people, density and risk level of the population served, geographic location, ability to secure a medical director to help establish an defibrillator program, availability of full-time staff or volunteers to be trained in defibrillator use, and level of need.

Reported survival rates from cardiac arrest are as high as 48 percent to 74 percent in cities with defibrillation programs, when bystanders immediately provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the first shock is delivered within three to five minutes, the association said.